On 5/14/2008
jasmine212 wrote:
My dad was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer on 4/30/08. He has had a CT scan and a PET scan since. The PET scan results were better than the CT and currently the cancer is localized within the stomach with a possible 1 cm met to a lymph node. We have 2 options in moving forward and I would like to solicit advice:
1) direct surgery to remove the entire stomach, then chemotherapy after my dad recovers from the surgery
2) pre-operative chemotherapy/radiation for 6 weeks, then surgery, then more chemo/radiation
If we opt for the second option, we have to do a laparoscopy biopsy first which we cannot do until 5/29 (due to the surgeon's schedule) to determine if the 1 cm lymph node is indeed a met. Then, we would schedule the chemo or surgery which may not happen for another month! We're concerned with the lag time as we don't want the cancer to spread any further. But at the same time, I've been reading that doing chemo before surgery is a good way to shrink the tumors and prevent any further spreading.
At this point we are feeling that option 1 would be best but we we want to make sure we choose the best option since this is a huge decision. Any suggestions to this would be much appreciated.
Would you really have to wait a MONTH to receive chemo after the laporoscopy? That seems like an awfully long wait, especially if he's already been diagnosed with cancer IN the stomach. I'd question that! Did you ask about the surgery risks with taking the entire stomach out? They are pretty high and it is a major surgery...not to mention the complications that arise afterward. It's difficult to connect the esophagus to the intestines. I read a lot about a certain trial (the name is escaping me right now), where patients were given 3 rounds of chemo before surgery....and then 3 rounds afterward.....it seemed to work well....you may want to check that out - google it, ask your doctor, ask another doctor. I would strongly suggest getting a second opinion and push to get your Dad seen right away...do whatever you have to, he seems to be at a very treatable stage.
Best of luck with getting his treament started...it seems to be the most difficult part of the entire process! I will pray for your family and your Dad.